On the 3rd December Shelter Scotland is launching its 50th anniversary photographic exhibition. We’re delighted to have worked with student photographers from The Glasgow School of Art who have worked closely with our staff, trainees, shop staff and volunteers. They’ve created an exhibition which shows how Shelter Scotland supports people in housing need and why we’re still fighting until there’s a home for everyone.
We were founded in 1968 to campaign against the very visible housing problems in Scotland. There were tens of thousands of people living in slum housing. Nick Hedges, the photographer who worked with us in the 1960s, recorded the housing conditions for us – www.shelterscotland.org/lifeworthliving. These photographs showing the rat infested, crowded, damp and often derelict housing helped us to campaign for more and better housing.
While the slum housing is long gone, we’re still facing significant housing problems in Scotland today. The equivalent of 38 children lose their home every day and every 18 minutes a household loses its home in Scotland. This important exhibition will be shown throughout Scotland to raise awareness about these issues, which are less visible, but they are there nonetheless. Too many people’s lives are still being devastated by an acute shortage of affordable social homes, harsh welfare reforms, stagnant wages and the prohibitive cost of keeping a roof over their head.
We would like to thank the Glasgow School of Art photography students who produced this exhibition: Erin Brown, Keri Hannah, Isobel Leach, Jack Mercer, Melissa Mitchell and Yeong Yao Ting
You can see the photos in the Mitchell Library, North St, Glasgow G3 7DN from the 4th December until 8th December. The photos will be in the 3rd floor reception area of the library.
The exhibition photographs are also online at www.shelterscotland.org/50.
We will continue to fight until there is a decent and affordable home for everyone. By working together, we know we can make a huge difference. If you’d like to join us please click here to sign up www.shelterscotland.org/50.
You can also support our work by texting SHELTER to 70007 to give £3. By texting you agree to being contacted by phone or SMS about our campaigns, fundraising activities and other ways you can help.
Text SHELTER NO to 70007 to donate £3, and not receive future marketing calls or texts.
Featured photo by Yeong Yao Ting.